Method for handling mercury containing lamps

ABSTRACT

A process for economically handling spent mercury containing lamps in an efficient manner while protecting the environment against the release of mercury vapors into the atmosphere along with creation of non-toxic recyclable by-product materials therefrom is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: transporting a lamp crushing apparatus on a mobile vehicle to a site whereat mercury containing lamps are collected; loading the mercury containing lamps within a closed chamber defined by the lamp crushing apparatus; and, crushing the mercury containing lamps within the closed chamber while simultaneously extracting substantially all hazardous mercury vapors from the closed chamber during the crushing process to create non-toxic recyclable by-product materials from the lamps loaded into the closed chamber. Preferably, the process of the present invention furthermore includes the step of monitoring and measuring levels of mercury vapors within the enclosure on the vehicle at least during crushing of the mercury containing lamps within the closed chamber.

This application claims benefit of provisional Application No.60/045,432 filed May 2, 1997.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to mercury containing lamps andbulbs and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method foreconomically and efficiently handling of lamps and bulbs containingmercury in an environmentally acceptable process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mercury containing lamps, such as fluorescent lamps, are widely used inschools, factories, office buildings, shopping centers and other largebuildings. Such buildings normally have a bulb replacement program aspart of their normal maintenance. As will be appreciated, such programsoften involve replacing all the lamps in a particular area of thebuilding or, in some circumstances, throughout an entire building orcomplex.

Both state and federal governments are very concerned over the disposalof spent lamps containing mercury. Current lamp crushing techniquesallow the mercury vapor contained in spent lamps to be released into theatmosphere, thus, causing significant environmental damage. When lampsare disposed of in landfills or the like, residual mercury often leachesinto the ground.

In view of the above, the United States Environmental Protection Agencyhas recently enacted legislation preventing spent lamps containingmercury from being disposed of at landfills. Substantial penalties havebeen enacted to prevent illegal disposal of spent lamps containingmercury such as flourescent lamps. If a landfill is discovered to havemercury containing lamps in their waste, any user of that landfill isconsidered a potential responsible party (PRP). Under currentregulations, any PRP (no matter how large or small) would be liable forthe closure of the failed landfill. This responsibility can equate tohundreds of thousands of dollars to a single generator of potentiallyhazardous material.

As will be appreciated, disposal of spent mercury containing lamps posesa significant problem for those buildings or facilities which tend to belarge users of such mercury containing lamps. Heretofore, lamp disposalhas been treated as any other waste. That is, it has been necessary forthese larger facilities to contract with an organization which wouldmanifest the spent lamps at the location where they are generated,followed by packaging and transporting them to a central processingfacility where the spent lamps could be destroyed in a controlledenvironment. The costs of the paperwork, as well as the processingrequired to be used to properly dispose of mercury containing lamps in acontrolled environment has a significant economic disadvantageassociated therewith. As will be appreciated, transporting a largevolume of spent lamps to a central processing facility essentiallyamounts to the transportation of air several hundred miles in mostinstances.

Because mercury containing lamps come in a wide variety of sizes andshapes, the need and ability to transport the spent lamps to a centralprocessing facility also involves significant handling costs andequipment for insuring against breakage of the lamps during thetransportation process. Transportation of spent lamps, sometimes severalhundreds of miles, inevitably leads to breakage of some of the lampsalong the way and, thus, the release of potentially toxic mercury vaporsinto the atmosphere. Moreover, some states require a licensed hazardouswaste hauler to ship the spent bulbs from the facility whereat the lampsare removed to the central processing facility. Requiring a hazardouswaste hauler to move what essentially is air sometimes hundreds of milecan lead to a significant economic problem.

Thus there remains a need and a desire for an apparatus and method fordestroying mercury containing lamps which is both efficient andeconomical and, yet, satisfies environmental concerns when the spentlamps are destroyed by creating a product rather than a waste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, one aspect of the present invention relates to anapparatus for economically handling mercury containing lamps in anefficient manner while protecting the environment against release ofmercury vapors into the atmosphere. In one form, the apparatus of thepresent invention includes a mobile vehicle which is transportable to afacility or site where the mercury containing lamps to be recycled arelocated, a mechanism mounted within an enclosure on the mobile vehiclefor receiving and destroying the mercury containing lamps therewithin,and an apparatus for sensing mercury vapor levels within the enclosureof the vehicle. The terms "destroying" or "destruction" as used hereinmeans rendering the spent mercury containing lamps innocuous and createsreusable materials.

In accordance with the present invention, the vehicle on which themechanism for destroying mercury containing lamps is mounted is moved toa site or facility at which the spent or burned out lamps are located.The spent lamps are accumulated on site at the facility as the lampsburn out or are replaced thereby reducing the paperwork and handling ofthe spent lamps. Moreover, driving the lamp destruction mechanism to thesite where the lamps are generated and stored eliminates many--if notall--the transportation problems discussed above.

In a preferred form of the invention, the enclosure on the vehicleincludes a multi-walled structure arranged in surrounding relationrelative to the lamp destruction apparatus. The enclosure furtherincludes a door movable between open and closed positions. When the dooris closed, the lamp destruction apparatus is operably separated from theatmosphere outside the enclosure on the vehicle.

The lamp destruction mechanism preferably includes a housing whereinmercury containing lamps are received and destroyed, a filter apparatusfor trapping mercury vapors from gases passed therethrough, and an airhandling unit. In a most preferred form, the lamp destruction apparatusof the present invention operates under the influence of a negativepressure or vacuum. Research has revealed that anything airborne will bedrawn into and toward a negative source of air. Accordingly, when thelamps are crushed inside the vacuum chamber of the destructionapparatus, mercury vapors are positively drawn or entrained within anegative air stream thus preventing their escapement from the lampdestruction or crushing apparatus and thereby preventing any potentialemissions to the atmosphere. In a most preferred form of the invention,the door to the enclosure is latched in a position such that it remainsslightly open during a lamp destruction process such that ambient airfrom outside the enclosure is drawn into the enclosure to enhance thequality of air within the enclosure on the vehicle.

The housing of the destruction apparatus wherein the mercury containinglamps are destroyed preferably includes a first chamber wherein a vacuumis created during the lamp destruction process and a second chamberarranged in material receiving relation relative to said first chamber.As such, the processed particulates of glass and metal ends capsresulting from the destruction of the mercury containing lamps pass fromthe first chamber to the second chamber of the housing where they areheld as non-hazardous raw material. Doors are provided on the housing topromote access to the interior of the housing.

The broken glass is collected within the receptacle and subsequentlyresold for use in other applications. For example, the crushed glass canbe used in asphalt batching facilities for aggregate in road beds.Alternatively, the crushed glass can be used in sand blasting industryin the form of glass beads. Similarly, the aluminum end caps arecaptured for further handling. Suffice it to say, the aluminum end capsare collected and are likewise resold for their recycle value.

In a most preferred form of the invention, the housing wherein themercury containing lamps are destroyed includes a tray which is slidablymounted on the housing for movement between loading and operationalpositions. In a loading position, the tray is positioned to facilitateloading of mercury containing lamps thereon, thus, reducing breakage ofthe fragile tubes. In an operational position, the tray is positionedwithin the housing to allow the lamps carried thereon to be destroyed.

The lamp destruction apparatus furthermore preferably includes a rammounted for reciprocal movement within the housing of the lampdestruction apparatus. In a preferred form, the ram is hydraulicallyoperated to effect controlled destruction of the mercury containinglamps within the housing. The ram is operated at a controlled rate topermit the negative air flow to the housing to effectively handle theemission of mercury vapors from the lamps being destroyed. Unlike otherheretofore known devices which tend to chop the elongated lamps intopieces, the ram of the lamp destruction apparatus operates at acontrolled rate to cause the lamps to explode as a result of the rampressing thereagainst. As will be appreciated from an understanding ofthis aspect of the present invention, the mercury containing lamps areminimally treated during the lamp destruction process so as to create aminimum of dust and particulate matter.

In an alternative form of the present invention, the housing includes afirst chamber wherein a vacuum is created and lamps are destroyed and adepending or downwardly extending plenum leading from the first chamber.Moreover, the vehicle on which the destruction apparatus is mountedincludes two laterally spaced chambers or reservoirs disposed onopposite lateral sides of the housing preferably beneath a floor of theenclosure of the vehicle. Each chamber or reservoir on the underside ofthe vehicle has an increased capacity for harvesting the broken glassand end caps as nonhazardous materials and which result from the lampdestruction process. Moreover, each of the chambers or reservoirs arearranged in material receiving relation relative to the first chamber onthe housing. A manually operated vane is disposed in the plenum fordirecting to which chamber or reservoir the non-hazardous materials areto pass thereby effecting a beneficial, weight distribution for thevehicle.

In one form of the lamp destruction mechanism, the filter apparatusincludes a redundant mercury filter system. That is, in a preferred fromof the invention, the filter apparatus includes a primary mercury filterand a secondary mercury filter operably arranged in series relative toeach other. Accordingly, nothing from inside the enclosure on thevehicle will be discharged directly to the ambient air outside theenclosure without passing through the dual filter system of the presentinvention.

Each mercury filter of the redundant system preferably includes areplaceable activated carbon filter for entrapping mercury vapors at avery high level therewithin. The filter apparatus of the lampdestruction mechanism further includes a particulate filter forentrapping material or matter other than mercury therewithin. Suchparticulate filter is operably disposed between the outlet from the lampdestruction mechanism housing and the primary mercury filter forentrapping dust particles and phosphorous matter therein. In a preferredform, the filter apparatus of the lamp destruction mechanism furthermoreincludes a particulate filter disposed between an outlet from the airhandling unit and the exterior of the enclosure to allow only filteredair to be exhausted from the enclosure of the vehicle.

A salient feature of the present invention relates to the provision ofan apparatus for sensing vapor levels within the enclosure of thevehicle. The sensing apparatus preferably includes a sensor fordetecting the level of mercury within the enclosure of the vehicle andan apparatus, arranged in operable combination with the sensor, forrecording the level of mercury vapors within the enclosure of thevehicle. Preferably, the recording apparatus operates automatically thusyielding a record of the sensed value of mercury levels within theenclosure as a function of the operation of the lamp destructionapparatus. Moreover, when the sensor detects a level of mercury vaporswithin the enclosure beyond a predetermined value, the sensor, in apreferred form of the invention, is capable of producing a signal toalert the operator as the high level of mercury vapors within theenclosure of the vehicle. In a most preferred form, the sensor apparatusis operably disposed between the primary and secondary mercury filtersof the redundant filter system.

The enclosure on the vehicle which surrounds the lamp destructionapparatus is preferably temperature controlled. That is, mercury has atendency to change state depending upon on the temperature. At atemperature beneath 60° F., mercury assumes a solid state. At atemperature above 80° F., mercury assumes a liquid state. Between 60° F.and 80° F., mercury remains in vapor form. The compartment or enclosureon the vehicle in which the vacuum operated lamp destruction apparatusis mounted is maintained at a controlled temperature ranging between 60°F. and 80° F. Moreover, a generator is preferably mounted on the vehiclefor supplying the necessary source of power for operating the variouslamp destruction components mounted in the enclosure of the vehicle.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process fordestroying mercury containing lamps. The process according to thepresent invention comprises the steps of transporting a lamp destructionapparatus on a mobile vehicle to a site whereat the mercury containinglamps are used and collected; destroying the mercury containing lampswithin an enclosure on the vehicle; and monitoring the level of mercurywithin said enclosure.

The step of destroying the mercury containing lamps furthermorepreferably involves the step of placing the mercury containing lamps ina housing carried by the vehicle wherein said lamps are crushed by aram. Moreover, the step of destroying the mercury containing lampspreferably includes the step of collecting particulates of glass andmetal after the lamps are crushed.

Preferably, the process for destroying mercury containing lampsfurthermore includes the step of creating a reduced pressure or vacuumwithin the housing such that air is drawn into the housing during thelamp crushing process. Preferably, the reduced pressure or vacuum issufficient to prevent escapement of gases from the housing during thelamp crushing or destroying process.

To reduce the likelihood of contamination, the lamp destruction processfurthermore includes the step of drawing the mercury vapors created as aresult of the lamp destruction process toward a filter apparatus. In oneform, the filter system involves a dual filter including a primary andsecondary mercury filters. The step of monitoring the mercury levelswithin said enclosure is preferably effected between the primary andsecondary filters as well as continually monitoring the air within theenclosure. The process furthermore preferably includes recording thelevels of mercury sensed within the enclosure. The recording step isaccomplished as a function of the step of destroying mercury containinglamps and is preferably effected automatically.

The mercury containing lamp destruction apparatus carried or transportedon the vehicle has two phases. First, the used mercury containing bulbsor lamps are destroyed in a vacuum chamber thereby inhibiting anypotential emissions of mercury into the atmosphere. Second, threedistinct and separate by-products are harvested for secondary uses.

With the present invention, destruction of the spent mercury containinglamps can be effected quickly and efficiently with minimum of dust beingcreated. Because the lamps explode and the glass pieces are notthereafter ground into smaller pieces, phosphorous dust is maintained ata minimum and readily handled by the filter apparatus for the lampdestroying mechanism. Moreover, because the ends caps of the crushedlamps and other product produced during the crushing process are neitherpassed through a grinder nor are subject to a grinding operation, thepossibility of creating other potentially hazardous emissions such aslead dust is substantially eliminated with the present invention.

Using a vacuum to draw the mercury vapors toward a common sourcefacilitates collection of the mercury. Once collected in the filter, themercury can be collected by a licensed recycler for recapturing andreuse in industry. Notably, no element or apparatus of the presentinvention resides or is located outside of the walled enclosure on thevehicle. The output from the primary mercury filter, through which themercury vapors initially pass, is continuously monitored and recorded.

The present invention is intended to eliminate the costly handling andvoluminous paperwork of heretofore known systems while providing anefficient and economical process for disposing of spent mercurycontaining lamps in an environmentally acceptable manner. The monitoringability of the present invention protects against potential emission ofmercury vapors from the lamp destruction apparatus. In effect, thepresent invention creates a transparency for the generation of spentlamps. The present invention creates marketable commodities which willnot be landfilled and, thus, the potential of nonsudden environmentalinvolvement does not exist. As will be appreciated, with the presentinvention, spent mercury containing and/or fluorescent lamps do not havebe repackaged and hauled sometimes hundreds of miles to a centraldisposal facility. Instead, a spent lamp processing facility and theadvantages offered thereby are brought to the site where the spent lampsare generated or stored and where the spent lamp processing apparatuscan be put to best use.

As will be appreciated, not all generators of spent lamps create asufficient volume of mercury containing lamps warranting destruction ofall the lamps at the particular site whereat the mercury containinglamps are generated or currently stored. Accordingly, another aspect ofthe present invention involves handling the mercury containing lamps inan efficient and effective manner. More particularly, this aspect of thepresent invention contemplates a satellite vehicle capable of travelingto facilities whereat smaller volumes of mercury containing lamps aregenerated or stored. At such facilities or locations, the spent mercurycontaining lamps are loaded into the satellite vehicle and are thentransported to another or second location whereat the spent mercurycontaining lamps are recycled in accordance with that described above.As will be appreciated, such a satellite vehicle may make several stopsat generators whereat smaller volumes of spent mercury containing lampsare stored or generated prior to final recycling of the spent mercurycontaining lamps.

According to this aspect of the invention, the mobile vehicle includes amobile frame on which an enclosure is mounted. The enclosure on thevehicle is sized to receive and hold a plurality of mercury containinglamps therein. The enclosure on the vehicle further includes a doormovable between open and closed positions for separating an interior ofthe enclosure from ambient atmosphere on an exterior of the enclosurewhen the door is in its closed position and for permitting access to theinterior of the enclosure when the door is in the open position. Thevehicle further includes an apparatus for creating a reduced pressurewithin the enclosure when the door is in its closed position. Becausesuch mercury containing lamps are extremely fragile, a filter isarranged in operable combination with the apparatus for recovering anyand all mercury vapors which are created within the enclosure of thevehicle as a result of breakage of one or more of the mercury containinglamps during transport. The enclosure on the vehicle further includes asealed port for permitting a sensor probe to be inserted through suchport and into the interior of said enclosure to allow for monitoring forpotential presence of mercury vapors within said enclosure.

In a most preferred from of the invention, the filter through which themercury vapors pass includes a housing which contains a filter mediahaving an affinity for mercury vapors. Moreover, the apparatus forcreating a reduced pressure within the enclosure of the vehicle includesan air handling unit. An inlet to the air handling unit is operablyconnected downstream of the filter apparatus and has an outlet leadingto the exterior of the enclosure on the vehicle. Preferably, areplaceable filter is disposed between the outlet from the air handlingunit and the exterior of the enclosure on the vehicle. To better handleany and all mercury vapors created as a result of spent lamp breakage,the temperature within the enclosure of the vehicle is preferablymaintained within a predetermined range of temperatures. Moreover, agenerator is provided in combination with the mobile frame of thevehicle to power the various components associated with this aspect ofthe invention.

According to yet another aspect of this invention, there is disclosed aprocess for transporting mercury containing lamps between first andsecond locations. Regarding this aspect of the invention, such processcomprising the steps of: providing a mobile vehicle having an enclosurecapable of holding and storing a plurality of mercury containing lampstherewithin, the enclosure having a door movable between open and closedpositions thereby permitting an interior of the vehicle's enclosure tobe separated from ambient atmospheric conditions on an exterior of theenclosure as a function of the position of the door, the vehicle furtherincluding a filter apparatus for entrapping mercury vapors from gasespassed therethrough; loading a plurality of mercury containing lampswithin said enclosure at the first location; moving the vehicle betweensaid first and second locations; causing air within said enclosure to bepositively circulated through the filter apparatus such that mercuryvapors, resulting from breakage of any one or more of the mercurycontaining lamps held or stored within said enclosure, are capturedwithin and by the filter apparatus as the vehicle is transported betweenthe first and second locations; and, waiting a predetermined period oftime after the vehicle arrives at its second location before the door onthe enclosure is moved to an open position such that mercury vapors, ifany, within the enclosure on the vehicle are captured by the filterapparatus.

This process of handling lamps containing mercury preferably furtherincludes the step of controlling temperature levels within the enclosureon the vehicle within a predetermined range of temperatures. Accordingto this process, the predetermined period of time for waiting before thedoor is opened on the enclosure after the vehicle arrives at the secondlocation is determined as a function of the size of the vehicle'senclosure. Moreover, according to this aspect of the invention, theprocess of handling lamps containing mercury further includes the stepof creating a reduced pressure within the enclosure on the vehicle aftersaid door is moved to a closed position to cause mercury vapors tobecome entrapped in a predetermined direction of air flow.

These and other objects, aims, and advantages of the present inventionwill become readily apparent from the following detailed description,drawings and appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of vehicle used incombination with the present invention with various parts shown insection to illustrate various details of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1 withvarious parts shown in section to illustrate various details of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a housing wherein mercury lampsare placed and destroyed;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the housing illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one form of control system for thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a filter apparatus forming part of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the filter apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end view similar to FIG. 4 but showing an alternative formof the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of that portion encircled in FIG.10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12--12 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of one form of sealed portillustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12 illustrating analternative form of sealed port; and

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 13 but illustrates a side elevational view ofthat embodiment of the sealed port shown in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in multipleforms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be describedpreferred embodiments of the present invention with the understandingthe present disclosure is to be considered as setting forthexemplifications of the invention which are not intended to limit theinvention to the specific embodiments illustrated and described.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicatelike parts throughout the views, there is shown, in FIGS. 1 and 2, amercury containing lamp destruction apparatus according to the presentinvention and which is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Thelamp destruction apparatus 10 is schematically shown as being mounted ona mobile vehicle 12. Accordingly, and as will be readily appreciated,the lamp destruction apparatus 10 of the present invention can bereadily driven and positioned at the facility which generates used orspent mercury containing lamps such as fluorescent bulbs 11 (FIG. 1).

The vehicle 12 is schematically shown as being a self-propelled truckhaving a mobile frame 13 with a conventional truck body 14 including awalled enclosure 16 including a floor 18 mounted on the frame 13. As isconventional and well known in the art, access to the truck enclosure 16is readily provided through a sliding or folding door 19. When the door19 is closed, the enclosure 16 is substantially isolated from theoutside ambient atmosphere.

Although illustrated in combination with a self-propelled truck 12, itwill be readily appreciated that alternative mobile structures, i.e.,trailers or railroad cars would equally suffice for transporting thelamp destruction apparatus of the present invention proximate to thesite or facility which generates the spent mercury containing lampswhich are or have been collected for disposal.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the lamp destruction apparatus 10 of thepresent invention includes an elongated housing 20 defined by amultiwalled enclosure 22 and sized to receive and hold multiple numbersof mercury containing lamps or fluorescent bulbs. The walls of themultiwalled enclosure 22 are fabricated from a gas and fluid imperviousmaterial such as steel or the like and are sealed at their adjoiningends. In the illustrated form of the invention, the multiwalledenclosure 22 is supported above the floor 18 of the enclosure 16 by aseries of supports or legs 24. In a most preferred form of theinvention, the housing 20 measures approximately 101 inches long, about36 inches wide, and is about 41 inches high such that a large volume ofmercury containing lamps can be destroyed simultaneously.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the elongated housing 20 defines a firstor upper chamber 26 and one or more lower or second chambers 28.Notably, the second chambers 28 of housing 20 are arranged in materialreceiving relation relative to the first chamber 26. It is alsoimportant to note the glass receiving chamber 28 is sealed to the walledenclosure 22 and to the destruction chamber 26 to prevent gases orvapors from escaping to the surrounding atmospheric air.

Preferably, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, housing 20 further includes apermeable floor 30 disposed between the first and second chambers 26 and28, respectively. As such, broken glass and the metal ends resultingfrom a lamp destruction process are permitted to gravitationally fallthrough the floor 30 and into the receptacles or chambers 28 of housing20. In the illustrated form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and6, the bottom wall or panel 29 of each lower chamber 28 is downwardlyslanted toward the front of the housing 20. As such, the glass and metalmaterials received therein will tend to slide forwardly toward the frontof the housing 20 to promote their removal or extraction therefrom.

In the illustrated form of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 4,housing 20 further includes a hinged door 32, preferably provided at oneend of the walled enclosure 22, for permitting the elongated mercurycontaining bulbs or fluorescent lamps to be endwise loaded into chamber26 and into position to be destroyed. As will be appreciated, suitableseals (not shown) can be disposed about the door 32 to enhance thesealing capability of the door 32 to the housing 20.

In a preferred form of the invention, and to enhance loading of themercury containing lamps into mechanism 10 for destruction, housing 20of mechanism 10 furthermore contains an elongated and rigid tray 34. Therigid tray 34 includes opposed sides 35 and 37 (FIG. 6) and is mountedon the housing 20 for sliding movement along a predetermined path oftravel between a loading position, illustrated schematically in FIG. 1,and an operational position (FIG. 5). To promote its sliding movement,the tray 34 preferably includes a series of annularly grooved wheels 36which ride on tracks 38 secured to the housing 20. Notably, tray 34furthermore includes a series of spaced bars 40 extending between theopposed sides 35, 37 of the tray 34 to define the floor 30 and whichserve to support the mercury containing lamps thereon. As shown in FIG.1, an auxiliary support 42 is arranged relative to the housing 20 tosupport the tray 34 when moved relative to the housing 20 to anunloading position.

Returning to FIGS. 3 and 4, housing 20 of mechanism 10 furthermoreincludes a series of preferably hinged doors 44 for permitting access tothe first and second chambers 26 and 28, respectively, of housing 20. Aswill, be appreciated from an understanding of the present invention, thedoors 44 permit access to the lower or second chambers 28 therebyallowing glass particulates and metal ends, resulting from the lampdestruction process, to be harvested and withdrawn therefrom. The doors44, arranged in combination with the lower or bottom chambers 28 ofhousing 20, are preferably disposed on a front side thereof.

In a preferred form of the invention, a conventional one-way air intakevalve 46 (FIG. 3) is formed as part of the walled enclosure 22. As willbe appreciated, valve 46 permits air to be drawn into the housing 20from the ambient air surrounding the walled enclosure 22 and preventsair or vapors inside the housing 20 from passing to the outside ofhousing 20. Preferably, the air intake 46 for housing 20 is disposedtoward a lower side of the housing 20.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lamp destruction apparatus 10 of thepresent invention further includes a ram 50 arranged for reciprocalmovement and at a controlled rate within the chamber 26 of housing 20.The ram 50 is preferably operated through a suitable form of driver 52mounted to the walled housing 20. In the illustrated form of theinvention, driver 52 is in the form of a hydraulically operated cylinderused to move the ram 50 at a controlled rate between retracted andextended positions. A suitable hydraulic pump (not shown) is provided incombination with the lamp destruction apparatus 10 for supplying therequired fluid under pressure to operate the cylinder 52. Suffice it tosay, the range of reciprocal movement of the piston or ram 50 within thehousing 20 is sufficient to burst or break the mercury containing lampsloaded into the chamber 26 of housing 20 at a controlled rate. In a mostpreferred form of the invention, the ram 50 is mounted for generallyvertical movement within the housing 20. Moreover, and in a mostpreferred form of the invention, a dual ram structure 50 and 50' isprovided in combination with the housing 20 of the destruction apparatus10 for destroying spent lamps containing mercury which are placed fordestruction within the housing 20.

As shown in FIG. 7, a suitable control system 60 controls operation ofthe crushing apparatus 10. That is, during operation, the control system60 controls and regulates movement of the drivers 52 and thereby therams 50, 50' within the destruction chamber 26 of the walled housing 20.A suitable controller 62 is arranged in combination with each driver 52for controlling the rate or speed of movement of the crushing rams 50,50'. As the rams 50, 50' move to destroy the spent lamps, the spentlamps tend to explode within the destruction chamber 26 of housing 20.Since the lamps tend to explode within the housing 20, the amount ofphosphorous dust created during the lamp destruction process isminimized as compared to other lamp destruction processes which crushthe broken glass pieces between rollers or pass them along auger-likeconveyors.

To control the mercury vapors created as a result of the lampdestruction process, a salient feature of the present invention involvesusing a negative pressure or vacuum rather than blowing the mercuryvapors through the system. Research has revealed that even a slightvacuum will tend to draw anything airborne toward the source of negativeair. Accordingly, the negative pressure or vacuum created in thedestruction chamber 26 of housing 20 does not have to be significantlyless than that of the surrounding atmospheric conditions. In theillustrated form of the invention, a negative pressure in the range ofabout 70 psi. within the vacuum chamber 26 appears to work well to drawvapors from the housing 20.

As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, an outlet port 66 isdefined by the walled enclosure 22 of housing 20 and through whichmercury vapors from destruction chamber 26 are withdrawn from thehousing 20. As may ne noted from FIG. 5, in the illustrated form of theinvention, the outlet port 66 is disposed in elevated relation relativeto the inlet port 46 (FIG. 3) such that an advantageous directional airflow is created within the destruction chamber 26 of housing 20. Aconduit or vacuum tube 68 is connected and sealed to the outlet 66 andto a source of vacuum pressure such as a suitable air handling unit 70.In the illustrated form of the invention, the air handling unit 70includes a fan 72 preferably mounted within the enclosure 16. An inlet71 to the fan 72 is connected to an exhaust end 73 of a filter apparatus74. An exhaust end 75 of the fan 72 directs air to the exterior of theenclosure 16.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, intermediate the housing 20 and the airhandling unit 70, gases passing from the destruction chamber 26 ofhousing 20 are directed through a filter apparatus 74. The purpose ofthe filter apparatus 74 is to trap and filter mercury vapors passingtherethrough such that air free of any mercury vapors is presented atthe outlet end 73 of filter apparatus 74 and presented to the airhandling unit 70 to be exhausted from the enclosure 16.

The filter apparatus 74 is a conventional activated carbon filtercapable of absorbing toxic mercury vapors. The filter apparatus 74preferably includes a primary mercury filter 76 and a secondary mercuryfilter 78 which are substantially identical to each other. Suffice it tosay, each filter 76, 78 preferably includes a housing 77 made from anonpermeable material, such as steel or the like, and which contains asuitable filter media having an affinity for mercury passing thereover.

In a most preferred form of the invention, the primary mercury filter 76and secondary mercury filter 78 are operably arranged in series relativeto each other. Moreover, and in a preferred form of the invention, theinlet 79 to each filter 76, 78 is disposed toward an upper end of therespective filter housing while the exhaust or outlet end 79' of eachfilter 76, 78 is disposed toward a bottom of the respective filterhousing to accomplish an advantageous flow of gases through the filter.An activated carbon filter of the type sold by CETCO Industrial Servicesof Arlington Heights, Ill. is one example of a filter apparatus thatwould work well with the present invention.

In a preferred form of the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, anadditional filter 80 is disposed between the outlet 66 of the vacuumchamber 26 of housing 20 and the filter apparatus 74 for withdrawingmatter, i.e. dust particles, other than mercury from the gases passingtherebetween. For example, filter 80 is capable of withdrawingphosphorous dust from the gases passing between the outlet 66 of housing20 and the primary mercury filter 76. Filter 80 preferably includes anyconventional high efficiency particulate absorber.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a most preferred form of filter apparatus 74further includes a further filter 82 disposed between the outlet 75 ofthe air handling unit 70 and the exterior of the enclosure 16. As willbe appreciated, the purpose of filter 82 of filter apparatus 74 is towithdraw matter, i.e. dust particles, other than mercury from the gasespassing from the secondary mercury filter 78. For example, filter 82 iscapable of withdrawing phosphorous dust from the gases passing betweenthe outlet 75 of the air handling unit 70 and the exterior of enclosure16. Filter 82 preferably includes any conventional high efficiencyparticulate absorber.

A salient feature of the present invention relates to the provision of asensor apparatus 84. The senor apparatus 84 serves a dual function.First, in a preferred form of the invention, the sensor apparatus 84continually senses the level of mercury vapors within the enclosure 16.Second, and in accordance with a preferred form of the invention, thesensor apparatus 84 serves to continually monitor the mercury vaporlevels passing through the gases exhausted from the primary mercuryfilter 76. In this regard, and those embodiments of the inventionutilizing a redundant mercury filter system, the sensor apparatus 84 isdisposed between the primary mercury filter 76 and the secondary mercuryfilter 78. The sensor apparatus 84 includes a sensor 86 having a rangeof detection from 0.001 to 0.999 mg/m3 Hg. Suffice it to say, sensor 86of apparatus 84 is stable and selective to mercury, eliminatinginterferences common to ultraviolet analyzers, such as water vapor andhydrocarbons. The sensor 86 is connected to software which programs adata logger 88. The software used in connection with the presentinvention is of the type sold by Arizona Instrument under JeromeCommunications Software Part Number SS-103. The data logger initiatesautomatic sampling of the output from the filter apparatus 74, andtriggers alarms to alert the operator in the event mercury levels beyonda predetermined limit is detected by the sensor 86. The sensor 86 is ofthe type sold by Arizona Instrument under Model Jerome 431-X MercuryVapor Analyzer.

A recorder 90 is furthermore provided in combination with the sensorapparatus 84 for automatically and continually recording and maintainingan ongoing record of the level of mercury within the enclosure 16.Accordingly, the levels of mercury vapors within the enclosure 16 andthe mercury levels detected at the output of the primary mercury filter76 are recorded during the lamp destruction operation. As such,performance of the destruction apparatus 10 at any particular time ofany particular date can be reviewed if and when necessary for compliancewith federal and state regulations. In a most preferred form of theinvention, a manual log is also maintained relating to performance ofthe mercury containing lamp destruction apparatus 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, and because mercury is such a volatile orchanging element, the enclosure 16 in which the destruction apparatus 10of the present invention is mounted includes an air conditioningassembly 92. The air conditioning assembly 92 is configured to maintainthe ambient air temperature inside the enclosure 16 on the vehicle 12within a predetermined temperature range. That is, the air conditioningapparatus 92 is configured to maintain the temperature within theenclosure 16 between 60° F. and 80° F. In a most preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the air conditioning apparatus 92 serves to maintain thetemperature in the enclosure at 70° F. A thermostat 94 (FIG. 1) isarranged in the enclosure 16 for monitoring the ambient temperature inthe enclosure 16 of the vehicle 12.

During operation of the destruction apparatus 10, if the temperaturewithin the enclosure is outside the acceptable range, the thermostat 94signals the air conditioning unit 92 to operate until the ambienttemperature within the enclosure 16 is within a predetermined range. Aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the thermostat 94 isconnected to and automatically operates the air conditioning unit 92. Inthe preferred form of the invention, and to maintain the appropriaterange of temperatures within the enclosure 16, the air conditioningapparatus 92 includes a heating unit 96 and a cooling unit 98.

As mentioned above, a schematic representation of the electrohydrauliccontrol system 60 is illustrated in FIG. 7. As shown, the control system60 includes a manually operated master switch 100 which is connected toa suitable power source B+such as the battery on the vehicle. The masterswitch 100 is preferably arranged at a convenient location relative tothe destruction apparatus 10 to enable operation thereof. As will beappreciated, manual actuation of the master switch 100 enables thecontrol system 60 thereby allowing the destruction apparatus 10 of thepresent invention to operate.

As shown in FIG. 7, the master switch 100 is connected to theconventional and well known controller 62. The purpose of the controller62 is to operate the various components of the destruction apparatus 10in either a service mode of operation or an operational mode ofoperation. The service mode of operation allows various components ofthe destruction apparatus 10 to be operated in a manner conducive toservicing of the components of the destruction apparatus 10. Suffice itto say, the operational mode of operation of the destruction apparatus10 involves the normal bulb crushing operation for which the destructionapparatus was designed to operate. As shown, the controller 62 of thecontrol system 60 is connected to a conventional control relay 102 usedto control the driver or hydraulic cylinder 52 used to move the ram 50in a manner destroying the mercury containing bulbs or lamps within thedestruction apparatus 10. As is known in the art, the control relay 102controls the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the driver 52 usedto operate the ram 50. In the illustrated form of the invention, thedriver 52 operates under a spring return such that when it reaches itsextended position the fluid flow to the cylinder 52 is cut off and thespring operates to return the ram 50 to its retracted position. In theillustrated form of the invention, a manually adjustable controller 104is preferably provided to adjust operation of the relay 102 such thatthe rate of movement of the ram 50, during the operational mode ofoperation of the destruction apparatus, can be selected depending uponthe operating conditions of the destruction apparatus 10. That is, thevolume of mercury vapor being exhausted through port 66 of thedestruction apparatus 10 can be regulated by adjusting the rate at whichthe ram 50 proceeds to crush the spent fluorescent lamps in thedestruction chamber 26 of housing 20.

In this illustrated form of the invention, housing 20 of the lampdestruction apparatus 10 is disposed toward one side of and extendsgenerally longitudinally within the enclosure 16. As shown in FIG. 2, aplurality of containers 120 are preferably disposed along an oppositeside of the enclosure 16. The purpose of the containers 120 is to permitglass particulates withdrawn from the chambers 28 of housing 20therewithin for storage. Alternatively, some of the containers 120 areused to store the metal ends resulting from the destroyed lamps.

Returning to FIG. 1, the lamp destruction apparatus of the presentinvention further includes a generator 170 carried on the vehicle 12 forproviding the power necessary to operate the various components of thelamp destruction system 10. The generator 170 is of any suitable typeand is preferably self propelled.

An alternative form of mercury containing lamp destruction apparatusembodying features of the present invention is schematically illustratedin FIG. 10. This alternative form of mercury containing lamp destructionapparatus is designated generally by reference numeral 210. The elementsof this lamp destruction apparatus that are identical or functionallyanalogous to those components discussed above regarding destructionapparatus 10 are designated by reference numerals identical to thoseused above with the exception that this embodiment uses referencenumerals in the 200 series.

The destruction apparatus 210 includes a housing 220 mounted within amultiwalled enclosure 216 on a vehicle 212. The enclosure 216 isprovided with a door 219 for permitting access to an interior ofenclosure 216. Housing 220 has an elongated configuration foraccommodating and lengthwise holding a series of mercury containinglamps or fluorescent bulbs. The multiwalled enclosure or housing 220 issupported above the floor 218 of the enclosure 216 by a series of legs224. In this form of the invention, the housing 220 is generallycentrally located and extends along the longitudinal centerline of theenclosure 216. In this illustrated form of the invention, vehicle 212 isprovided with raised or elevated flooring 218' arranged in verticallyspaced relation relative to floor 218.

As shown, the elongated housing 220 defined an upper chamber 226 whereina reduced pressure or vacuum is created in the manner described indetail above. The vehicle 212 further defines a pair of enlarged secondchambers or reservoirs 228 and 228' disposed on opposite lateral sidesof the housing 220. Because of their disposition relative to thevehicle, the reservoirs 228, 228' can be enlarged to enhance thecarrying capacity of each reservoir 228, 228' as compared to thechambers 28 of the first embodiment of this invention. Each chamber 228,228' furthermore includes a door 245 for promoting access to theinterior and for allowing broken glass and metal ends to be readilyremoved therefrom.

As in the first embodiment of the lamp destruction apparatus, both thechambers or reservoirs 228, 228' are arranged in material receivingrelation relative to the first chamber 226 of housing 220. As shown inFIG. 10, in this embodiment of the invention, housing 220 defines adownwardly extending or depending plenum 240 leading from chamber 226. Adivider 242 is generally centrally arranged within the plenum 240beneath the destruction chamber 226 defined by housing 220 for directingparticulate glass and metal ends resulting from the destruction ofmercury containing lamps within the destruction chamber to either of thereservoirs or chambers 228, 228'.

As shown, the divider 242 defines downwardly slanting side surfaces 244,246 which are joined to each other at an upper end thereof. Moreover, amanually operated vane 250 is disposed in the plenum chamber 240 betweenthe destruction chamber 226 and the divider 242. The vane 250 is movableabout a generally horizontal axis 252 extending generally parallel withthe floor 218 to allow the vane 250 to be manually shifted to either ofthe dotted line positions shown in FIG. 10 or any suitable positiontherebetween.

Turning to the enlarged schematic showing in FIG. 11, the floor 218 ofthe enclosure 216 is provided with openings 260 (with only one openingbeing shown) at the lower end of each side surface 244, 246 of thedivider 242. The openings 260 permit communication between the dependingplenum 240 and the reservoirs 228, 228' on the vehicle 210. As will beappreciated, the openings 260 are sized to allow particulates of glassand the metal ends of the destroyed lamps to pass through the floor 218of the enclosure 216 and into selected reservoir 228, 228'. The vane 250advantageously allows a generally even distribution of materials to thereservoirs 228, 228'. That is, during one recycling process, the vane250 may be disposed to one angular disposition thereby permitting thebroken glass and metal ends from the mercury containing lamps destroyedin housing 220 to pass into reservoir 228. During the next recyclingprocess, the vane 250 can be readily shifted such that the broken glassand metal ends resulting from the destruction of mercury containinglamps during this particular destruction process are directed toreservoir 228'. Thus, a more uniform load distribution can beadvantageously effected on the vehicle 212.

Another aspect of the present invention involves a process fordestroying mercury containing lamps. The process according to thepresent invention comprises the steps of: transporting a lampdestruction apparatus on a mobile vehicle to a site whereat the mercurycontaining lamps are used and collected; destroying the mercurycontaining lamps within an enclosure on the vehicle; and monitoring thelevel of mercury within said enclosure.

The step of destroying the mercury containing lamps furthermorepreferably involves the step of placing the mercury containing lamps ina housing carried by the vehicle wherein said lamps are crushed by aram. Moreover, the step of destroying the mercury containing lampspreferably includes the step of collecting particulates of glass andmetal after the lamps are crushed.

Preferably, the process for destroying mercury containing lampsfurthermore includes the step of creating a reduced pressure or vacuumwithin the housing such that air is drawn into the housing during thelamp crushing process. Preferably, the reduced pressure or vacuum issufficient to prevent escapement of gases from the housing during thelamp crushing or destroying process.

To reduce the likelihood of contamination, the lamp destruction processfurthermore includes the step of drawing the mercury vapors created as aresult of the lamp destruction process toward a filter apparatus.Preferably, the filter system involves a dual filter having primary andsecondary mercury filters. The step of monitoring the mercury levelswithin said enclosure is preferably effected between the primary andsecondary filters as well as continually monitoring the air within theenclosure. The process furthermore preferably includes recording thelevels of mercury sensed within the enclosure. The recording step isaccomplished as a function of the step of destroying mercury containinglamps and is preferably effected automatically.

According to one aspect of the invention, the mercury containing lampdestruction apparatus of the present invention has two objects. First,the used mercury containing bulbs or lamps are handled in a vacuumchamber thereby inhibiting any potential emissions of mercury into theatmosphere. Second, according to this aspect of the invention, threedistinct and separate byproducts are harvested and recycled forsecondary uses.

As will be appreciated, and as mentioned above, not all generators ofspent lamps create a sufficient volume of mercury containing lampswarranting destruction of all the lamps at the particular site whereatthe mercury containing lamps are generated or currently stored.Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention involves handlingor transporting of the mercury containing lamps in an efficient andeffective manner from a first location, whereat a smaller number orvolume of spent lamps containing mercury are stored or generated, to asecond location, whereat the lamps can be recycled in the mannerdiscussed above. More particularly, this aspect of the present inventioncontemplates a satellite vehicle capable of traveling to facilitieswhereat smaller volumes of mercury containing lamps are generated orstored. At such facilities or locations, the spent mercury containinglamps are loaded into the satellite vehicle and are then transported toanother or second location whereat the spent mercury containing lampsare recycled in accordance with that described above. As will beappreciated, such a satellite vehicle may make several stops atgenerators whereat smaller volumes of spent mercury containing lamps arestored or generated prior to final recycling of the spent mercurycontaining lamps.

According to this aspect of the invention, the satellite mobile vehicleis similar to that discussed above. Suffice it to say, the satellitevehicle includes the mobile frame 13 on which the enclosure 16 ismounted. As discussed above, and in accordance with this aspect of theinvention, the enclosure 16 on the vehicle is sized to receive and holda plurality of mercury containing lamps therein. In the same mannerdiscussed above, the enclosure 16 on the satellite vehicle furtherincludes a door 19 movable between open and closed positions forseparating an interior of the enclosure from ambient atmosphere on anexterior of the enclosure 16 when the door 19 is in its closed positionand for permitting access to the interior of the enclosure 16 when thedoor 19 is in the open position. As discussed above, and in accordancewith this aspect of the invention, the satellite vehicle furtherincludes an apparatus 70 for creating a reduced pressure within theenclosure 16 when the door 19 is in its closed position. Because mercurycontaining lamps are extremely fragile, a filter 74 is arranged inoperable combination with the apparatus 70 for recovering any and allmercury vapors which are created within the enclosure 16 of the vehicleas a result of breakage of one or more of the mercury containing lampsduring transport.

As shown in FIG. 2, the enclosure 16 on the satellite vehicle furtherincludes a sealed port 190. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the sealed port190 includes an opening 191 in one of the walls of the enclosure 16. Theopening 191 is sized to permit a sensor probe 192 to be inserted throughsuch opening 191 and into the interior of said enclosure 16 to allowmonitoring for potential presence of mercury vapors within saidenclosure 16. In the illustrated form of the invention, a closure member193 on the interior of the enclosure 16 extends across and entirelycovers the port 191 and acts as a reed valve to seal closed the opening191 thereby inhibiting mercury vapors from escaping from the enclosureof the satellite vehicle as through the opening 191. As will beappreciated, the closure member 193 is formed from any suitable materialwhich will inhibit passage of mercury vapors therethrough. In theillustrated from of the invention, a fastener 194 secures the closuremember 193 relative to the opening 191while readily allowing the sensorprobe 192 to be inserted into the enclosure 16 through the opening 191.

An alternative embodiment of a sealed port is illustrated in FIGS. 14and 15 and is generally indicated by reference numeral 190'. Like thatdiscussed above, the enclosure 16 of the satellite vehicle is providedwith an opening 191' in one of the walls of the multiwalled enclosure 16of the satellite vehicle. A seal 193', formed from a resilient materialimpervious to mercury vapors passing therethrough, is inserted into andis in a sealed relationship with the opening 191'. As shown in FIG. 15,the seal 193' includes a plurality of slits 194' radially extending fromthe center of the seal 193' outwardly toward the peripheral edge thereofAs the sensor probe 192 pushes through the seal 193', the flaps of theseal 193' surround the sensor probe 192 and prevent mercury vapors fromescaping outwardly through the opening 191'.

In the same manner as discussed with respect to vehicle 10, thesatellite vehicle will include a air handling unit 70 preferably in theform of fan 72 for creating a reduced pressure within the enclosure 16.Additionally, a filtering device, similar to that described above byreference numeral 82, will be operably disposed across the outlet end ofthe air handling unit for the satellite vehicle to filter air passing tothe exterior of the enclosure 16 of the satellite vehicle from the airhandling unit 70. Moreover, the satellite vehicle will include an airconditioning unit like that generally referenced above by referencenumeral 92 for controlling and maintaining the temperatures within theenclosures of the satellite vehicle within a predetermined range.Preferably, the range of temperatures to be maintained within theenclosure 16 of the satellite vehicle approximate between 60° F. andabout 80° F. Moreover, the satellite vehicle will include a generatorlike that identified above by reference numeral 170 for generatingsufficient power within the enclosure 16 during operation of thesatellite vehicle.

As will be appreciated from the above, the satellite vehicle ispreferably substantially similar to that described above with theexception there is no destruction apparatus is arranged within theenclosure. The satellite vehicle will, however, include a filterapparatus similar to that described above by reference numeral 74.Suffice it to say, the filter apparatus 74 for the satellite vehiclewill include a mercury filter having a housing 75 which holds filtermedia having an affinity to mercury vapors drawn therepast or movingthereover. Notably, the inlet to the air handling unit 70 is operablyconnected to the filter apparatus 74 to establish a predetermined flowof gases through the filter apparatus 74. The inlet to the filterapparatus 74 opens to the enclosure 16.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a process for transporting mercury containing lamps betweenfirst and second locations. Regarding this aspect of the invention, suchprocess comprising the steps of: providing a mobile vehicle having anenclosure capable of holding and storing a plurality of mercurycontaining lamps therewithin, the enclosure having a door movablebetween open and closed positions thereby permitting an interior of thevehicle's enclosure to be separated from ambient atmospheric conditionson an exterior of the enclosure as a function of the position of thedoor, the vehicle further including a filter apparatus for entrappingmercury vapors from gases passed therethrough; loading a plurality ofmercury containing lamps within said enclosure at the first location;moving the vehicle between said first and second locations; causing airwithin said enclosure to be positively circulated through the filterapparatus such that mercury vapors, resulting from breakage of any oneor more of the mercury containing lamps held or stored within saidenclosure, are captured within and by the filter apparatus as thevehicle is transported between the first and second locations; and,waiting a predetermined period of time after the vehicle arrives at itssecond location before the door on the enclosure is moved to an openposition such that mercury vapors, if any, within the enclosure on thevehicle are captured by the filter apparatus.

This process of handling lamps containing mercury preferably furtherincludes the step of controlling temperature levels within the enclosureon the vehicle within a predetermined range of temperatures. Accordingto this process, the predetermined period of time for waiting before thedoor is opened on the enclosure after the vehicle arrives at the secondlocation is determined as a function of the size of the vehicle'senclosure. Moreover, according to this aspect of the invention, theprocess of handling lamps containing mercury further includes the stepof creating a reduced pressure within the enclosure on the vehicle aftersaid door is moved to a closed position to cause mercury vapors tobecome entrapped in a predetermined direction of air flow.

From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications andvariations can be effected without departing or detracting from the truespirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It willbe appreciated that the present disclosure is intended to set forthexemplifications of the invention which are not intended to limit theinvention to the specific embodiments illustrated. The disclosure isintended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fallwithin the spirit and scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for handling spent mercury containinglamps to create non-toxic recyclable materials comprising the stepsof:transporting a lamp destruction apparatus on a vehicle to a sitewhereat the mercury containing lamps are collected; crushing the mercurycontaining lamps within a closed compartment in an enclosure on thevehicle; withdrawing mercury vapors, created when the mercury containinga lamps are crushed, from the closed compartment and directing themercury vapors through a filter apparatus having an inlet connected tosaid closed compartment and an outlet, said filter apparatus creating anon-toxic recyclable material from the mercury vapors drawn into theinlet from said closed chamber with clean air being exhausted from saidoutlet of said filter apparatus; and continuously monitoring andmeasuring the level of mercury vapors within the enclosure as themercury containing lamps are crushed.
 2. The spent lamp handling processaccording to claim 1 further including the step of positioning saidlamps in said closed compartment for crushing by a ram wherein saidclosed compartment is defined by a sealed housing carried by thevehicle.
 3. The spent lamp handling process according to claim 2 furtherincluding the step of collecting non-toxic particulates of glass andmetal after the lamps are crushed.
 4. The process for handling spentmercury containing lamps according to claim 3 wherein the step ofcollecting particulates of glass and metal further involves the step ofdirecting said particulates to either of two collection bins carried onsaid mobile vehicle.
 5. The spent lamp handling process according toclaim 2 further including the step of drawing ambient air into saidhousing during crushing of said lamps through creation of a reducedpressure within said housing.
 6. The spent lamp handling processaccording to claim 2 further including the step of drawing mercuryvapors from said housing toward a filter apparatus during the lampcrushing process.
 7. The spent lamp handling process according to claim6 wherein said filter apparatus includes a primary mercury filter and asecondary mercury filter.
 8. The spent lamp handling process accordingto claim 7 wherein the step of monitoring levels of mercury within saidenclosure is operatively effected between said primary and secondaryfilters.
 9. The spent lamp handling process according to claim 2 whereinthe step of monitoring levels of mercury vapors within said enclosureinvolves continually sensing the air within said enclosure.
 10. Thespent lamp handling process according to claim 2 further including thestep of recording the levels of mercury vapors within said enclosure.11. The spent lamp handling process according to claim 10 wherein saidrecording step is accomplished automatically.
 12. A process for handlingspent mercury containing lamps to create non-toxic recyclable by-productmaterials therefrom, said process comprising the steps of:transporting alamp crushing apparatus on a mobile vehicle to a site whereat mercurycontaining lamps are collected; loading the mercury containing lampswithin a closed chamber defined by said lamp crushing apparatus;crushing the mercury containing lamps within the closed chamber tocreate non-toxic glass and metal particulates; extracting substantiallyall hazardous mercury vapors from said closed chamber during thecrushing process; and filtering all of said hazardous mercury vaporsextracted from said closed chamber, said filtering step creating anon-toxic recyclable by-product material from the hazardous mercuryvapors extracted from said closed chamber.
 13. The process for handlingspent mercury containing lamps according to claim 12 wherein saidvehicle is provided with an enclosure in which said closed chamber ismounted, and said process further includes the step of: monitoring andmeasuring levels of mercury vapors within the enclosure at least duringcrushing of the mercury containing lamps within the closed chamber. 14.The process for handling spent mercury containing lamps according toclaim 12 further including the step of: collecting said non-toxicparticulates of glass and metal after the lamps are crushed.
 15. Theprocess for handling spent mercury containing lamps according to claim14 wherein the step of collecting said non-toxic particulates of glassand metal further involves the step of directing said particulates toeither of two collection bins carried on said mobile vehicle.
 16. Theprocess for handling spent mercury containing lamps according to claim12 wherein the step of filtering is effected through a filter apparatusincluding primary and secondary filters arranged in serial relationrelative to each other.
 17. The process for handling spent mercurycontaining lamps according to claim 16 further including the step of:monitoring and measuring levels of mercury vapors within said enclosure.18. The process for handling spent mercury containing lamps according toclaim 17 wherein the step of monitoring and measuring levels of mercuryvapors is effected between said primary and secondary filters.
 19. Theprocess for handling spent mercury containing lamps according to claim17 further including the step of: recording the levels of mercury vaporsmonitored within said enclosure.
 20. The process for handling spentmercury containing lamps according to claim 17 further including thestep of: recording the levels of mercury vapors measured between theprimary and secondary filters.
 21. A process for handling spent mercurycontaining lamps to create non-toxic recyclable by-product materialstherefrom, said process comprising the steps of:transporting a spentlamp processing apparatus within an enclosure on a mobile vehicle to asite whereat mercury containing lamps are collected; processing themercury containing lamps within said enclosure to create at least threenon-toxic recyclable by-products therefrom, said processing stepincluding extracting substantially all hazardous mercury vapors fromsaid mercury containing lamps, said processing step further involvingfiltering all of said hazardous mercury vapors extracted from saidmercury containing lamps, said filtering creating a non-toxic recyclableby-product material from the hazardous mercury vapors extracted fromsaid mercury containing lamps; and storing the non-toxic recyclablematerials on the vehicle such that after the spent lamps are processedat the site, the vehicle and the non-toxic by-product materials storedthereon are transported to another location leaving no materials fromthe processed lamps at the site or outside the vehicle.
 22. The processfor handling spent mercury containing lamps according to claim 21further including the step of: monitoring and measuring levels ofmercury vapors within the enclosure at least during the processing ofthe mercury containing lamps.
 23. The process for handling spent mercurycontaining lamps according to claim 22 further including the step of:recording the levels of mercury vapors measured in said enclosure. 24.The process for handling spent mercury containing lamps according toclaim 21 further including the step of: collecting non-toxicparticulates of glass and metal after the lamps are processed.
 25. Theprocess for handling spent mercury containing lamps according to claim24 wherein the step of collecting said non-toxic particulates of glassand metal further involves the step of directing said particulates toeither of two collection bins carried on said mobile vehicle.
 26. Theprocess for handling spent mercury containing lamps according to claim21 wherein the step of extracting substantially all hazardous vaporsfrom said chamber is effected through a filter apparatus.
 27. Theprocess for handling spent mercury containing lamps according to claim26 wherein said filter apparatus includes primary and secondary filtersserially arranged relative to each other.
 28. The process for handlingspent mercury containing lamps according to claim 26 further includingthe step of monitoring and measuring levels of mercury vapors withinsaid enclosure, said step of monitoring and measuring is effectedbetween said primary and secondary filters.
 29. A process for handlingspent mercury containing lamps to create non-toxic recyclable by-productmaterials therefrom, said process comprising the steps of:transporting aspent lamp processing apparatus on a mobile vehicle to a site whereatmercury containing lamps are collected; crushing the mercury containinglamps within a closed compartment in an enclosure on the vehicle bydirectly pressing on and passively breaking the mercury containinglamps; extracting substantially all hazardous mercury vapors from thecompartment as the mercury containing lamps are crushed; gravitationallyreceiving non-toxic glass and metal particulates created from the brokenmercury containing lamps in a first storage area on the vehicle;filtering all of said hazardous mercury vapors extracted from saidclosed compartment thereby creating a non-toxic by-product material fromthe hazardous mercury vapors extracted from said closed compartment; andmonitoring and measuring levels of mercury vapors within the enclosureat least during the step of crushing of the mercury containing lamps.30. The process for handling spent mercury containing lamps according toclaim 29 further including the step of: recording the levels of mercuryvapors measured during the crushing process.
 31. The process forhandling spent mercury containing lamps according to claim 29 whereinthe step of gravitationally receiving non-toxic and metal particulatesfurther involves directing said particulates to a second storage area onthe vehicle.